The popular sabbatical-like grants by the Lilly Endowment for clergy around the country will be renewed next year, the Indianapolis-based foundation has announced.

As many as 120 pastors will be selected from among those submitting proposals asking for up to $45,000 each, a portion of which benefits the congregation that does without its pastor for his or her leave of absence. The deadline is May 15, 2006.

Lilly Endowment announced this fall the year’s winners from 37 states and the District of Columbia and 16 denominations. Over six years of such grants, 755 pastors have shared more than $23 million.